Impact of salt strength on in vitro propagation and rebaudioside A content in Stevia rebaudiana under semi-solid and liquid MS media.

Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni), commonly known as stevia, is a sought-after natural sweetener, but its conventional propagation methods are slow and inefficient. This study aims to enhance the in vitro culture for stevia by investigating the impact of different Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium salt strengths and plant growth hormones on growth and rebaudioside A content. Apical bud-containing shoot segments were used as explants and cultured on various semi-solid and liquid MS media formulations, incorporating cytokinins (BAP and Kin), auxins (NAA and IAA), and different MS major salt concentrations (MS full, ½ MS, and ¼ MS).

Improvement and regulation of steviol glycoside biosynthesis in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni.

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a natural sweetener plant that is progressively used not only for its sweetening properties but also for its medicinal properties. The plant contains steviol glycoside (SG) which is reported to be up to 300 times sweeter than sucrose. The plant is said to have no side effects on human health and has been approved by FDA.